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Remembering Dr. Bernard Adams
Dr. Bernard Adams became president of Fort Lewis College in 1985, replacing the retiring Rexer Berndt. Below is the obituary prepared by his family. A memorial service for Dr. Adams will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 11 at the Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs 80906.
The thoughts of the Fort Lewis College community go out to the Adams family during their time of loss.
Dr. Bernard Schroder Adams
Dr. Bernard Schroder Adams passed away on February 26, 2017.
He was born on July 20, 1928 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Professor M. Ray Adams and Charlotte Schroder Adams.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Natalie Stout Adams, his two children, Deborah (Charlie Campbell) and David (Derry), and two grandchildren, John Henry Schroder and Ann Frances.
Bernie graduated from Princeton University in 1950, having served as President of his Senior Class, Student Government President and Captain of the basketball team. He was awarded the Pyne Honor Prize, the highest general distinction Princeton confers upon an undergraduate. After obtaining his M.A. from Yale University in 1951 under a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, he served two years in the United State Air Force before returning to Princeton to serve for five years as an Assistant Director of Admissions and English Instructor. Bernie earned his PhD at the University of Pittsburgh and was employed seven years there, first as a Director of Admissions and then as a Special Assistant to the Chancellor and Instructor in English. In 1964 he became the Dean of Students and a Lecturer of English at Oberlin College. In 1966, he became the President of Ripon College for 18 years before concluding his academic career in 1987 as President of Fort Lewis College in Durango.
After moving to Colorado Springs in 1988 to be closer to family, Bernie worked as a Vice President for Goodwill Industries for several years before retiring. He served many years as a member of the choir of the Broadmoor Community Church, as well as two years as Church Moderator. He served on various non-profit boards, including the Colorado Springs Music Volunteers, The Center for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (TESSA), and Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful. He also served as an advisor to CASA’s and Griffith Centers for Children/CHINS UP’s capital campaigns.
In his non-professional life, Bernie was a family man first and foremost. He always made time to attend his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. The family has fond memories of camping trips in New England during the early years and hiking, skiing and rafting adventures after they moved to Colorado. Bernie loved playing tennis, especially family doubles. “Bernie Ball”, his unique style of tennis, thwarted friends and family alike.
Above all, Bernie was a kind, loving husband, father and friend. He always had a willing ear to listen to a college student, faculty member, child or grandchild. He always had a ready smile. In his last few months as Vascular Dementia cast a longer shadow on his life, the two words he never forgot were “thank you”.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for the loving care given Bernie by the care providers at The Rehabilitation Center at Centennial and all the staff at The Palisades. The many people who increased his quality of life from Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care will forever be held dearly in our hearts. The funeral service for Bernie will be held at the Broadmoor Community Church on Saturday, March 11th, at 1:00 P.M. In lieu flowers, please send donations to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 or the Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.